A trademark is one of the most powerful tools for building and protecting your brand identity. It helps customers recognize your products or services and differentiates you from competitors.
In India, trademarks are registered under the Trademarks Act, 1999, and they can take various forms depending on what you want to protect—your logo, name, sound, design, or even a color. Let’s understand the different types of trademarks in India and how they work.
1. Product Mark
A Product Mark is used on physical goods to identify the manufacturer or seller. It helps customers recognize the origin and quality of a product.
Example: Amul, Parle-G, Nike, Samsung, etc.
Trademark Classes: 1–34 (for goods and products)
2. Service Mark
A Service Mark distinguishes the services provided by one company from those of another. These are commonly used by service-based businesses such as telecom, hotels, education, or logistics.
Example: Airtel, OYO Rooms, Zomato, Swiggy, DigiAstra Consultancy Services
Trademark Classes: 35–45 (for services)
3. Collective Mark
A Collective Mark is used by a group, association, or organization whose members follow specific standards or share a common goal. It represents collective ownership and credibility.
Example: The CA logo used by members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
4. Certification Mark
A Certification Mark shows that a product meets certain standards or quality checks. It assures consumers that the goods have been tested and approved by a recognized authority.
Example: ISI, Agmark, FSSAI, BIS marks seen on food, electrical items, and packaged products.
5. Shape Mark
A Shape Mark protects the unique shape of a product that makes it easily recognizable.
Example: The distinctive Coca-Cola bottle or Toblerone chocolate bar shape.
6. Pattern Mark
A Pattern Mark protects specific designs or patterns that are consistently used to identify a brand.
Example: The Louis Vuitton checkerboard pattern is a well-known example.
7. Sound Mark
A Sound Mark protects a unique sound or tune associated with a brand. This helps consumers identify a brand simply by hearing it.
Example: Nokia’s ringtone, Intel’s chime, or ICICI Bank’s musical logo.
8. Colour Mark
A Colour Mark protects a specific colour or combination of colours that represent a brand’s identity.
Example: Cadbury’s purple, Coca-Cola’s red, or Tiffany’s blue.
9. Word Mark
A Word Mark protects the brand name, word, or combination of letters used to represent a business. When you register a word mark, you get exclusive rights to use it in any font or style.
Example: TATA, Nestlé, Nike, Infosys.
10. Device Mark / Logo Mark
A Device Mark (or Logo Mark) protects the graphic representation of your brand—like symbols, designs, or artistic logos.
Example: Apple’s half-eaten apple logo or Pepsi’s circular logo.
Which Type of Trademark Should You Choose?
The type of trademark you register depends on what you want to protect:
- If it’s your brand name, register a Word Mark.
- If it’s your logo or design, go for a Device Mark.
- If your product or service has a unique shape, sound, or colour, protect it under the relevant category.
Registering a trademark not only builds brand recognition but also gives you legal ownership and exclusive rights to use it across India.
A trademark is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a valuable business asset. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, protecting your brand with a proper trademark registration ensures your identity and reputation remain secure.
If you’re planning to register your trademark in India, DigiAstra Consultancy Services can help you with:
- Trademark Search & Application
- Trademark Renewal
- Trademark Objection & Opposition
- Trademark Assignment & Licensing
Contact us today to protect your brand identity and take the first step toward becoming a recognized name in your industry.